Cigarette package



Aug. 26, 1958 c. w. GARTRELL ETAL v 2,849,154

CIGARETTE PACKAGE Filed Jan. 5, 1956 F1616. FIG] g L9 20 i I INVENTORS r V 27 26 CHARLES WGARTRELL K11 THEY/V W. GAR TIPELL ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofiice 2,849,154 Patented Aug. 26, 1958 CIGARETTE PACKAGE Charles W. Gartrell and Kathryn W. Gartrell, Santa Barbara, Calif.

Application January 5, 1956, Serial No. 557,522

2 Claims. (Cl. 221-260) This invention relates to an improvement in cigarette packages having in combination, means for projecting the contents therefrom and a receptacle attached thereto for collecting waste products. The entire cigarette package may be enclosed in an outer protective wrapper, such as a cellophane jacket, whereby the wrapper may be destroyed without disturbing the ejector mechanism or associated receptacle.

It is the primary object of the invention to provide an ejector mechanism for facilitating the removal of'the first or later cigarettes from either side of the package top without mutilation thereof. Further, the ejecting mechanism may be repeatedly used without disturbing the remaining adjacent contents of the cigarette package.

It is also a most important object of the invention to provide a cigarette package having a receptacle as a com- The elevating mechanism of the present embodiment comprises ejecting flap members 20 disposed at opposite ends of the base member 16 and formed by inwardly extending, longitudinal slits 18 cut in the base member.

The flap members 20 are normally positioned in the plane of and hingedly joined to the base member 16 along a stationary axis extending transversely between the longitudinal slits 18 so that the cigarettes 24 supported thereon remain in a non-elevated position.

Also, the principles of the invention are broadly applicable to an ejector mechanism comprising an elevating flap member hingedly secured to the inside bottom, of a cigarette package. However, this embodiment, although achieving the same results, would extend the cigarettes supported on the flap member above the level of those positioned adjacent the package bottom, thereby destroying package uniformity and causing an undesirable bulge at the top of the package. Furthermore, the hinge mounting itself would form a slight lip or obstruction which would impair the feeding of adjacent cigarettes to the elevating flap member.

The operating means for elevating the ejecting flap members 20 consists of either pull-tabs 26, formed from string or tape which is secured to underlie both the flapmembers 20 and the base member 16, as best illustrated in Figures3 and 4, or may be formed integrally with the ponent part thereof and in combination therewith for receiving waste material which accompanies the smoking of cigarettes. This receptacle is designed to permit-the extinguishment and disposal of cigarettes and matches without creating a fire hazard.

The aforesaid objects of the invention will ,bestpbe understood. from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination cigarette package ejector mechanism and open receptacle constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the package in closed position illustrating the construction thereof in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ejecting mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same;

Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating a modified form of the ejector mechanism;

Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating an extension of an integral pull tab means having indicia applied thereto; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating an extension of a string operating means having indicia applied thereto.

Having more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like characteristics of reference will designate corresponding parts throughout, there is shown in Figure 1 a cigarette package 10 having a top wall 12, a bottom wall 14, and side Walls extending between said top and bottom walls. The package 10 contains a false bottom or base member 16, rectangular in shape and preferably formed from cardboard or similar material. The aforesaid base member 16 may be placed adjacent to and coextensive with the bottom 14 of the package without being fastened thereto and is normally retained in position by the weight of adjacently supported cigarettes. However, it may be desirable to secure the base member 16 to the package bottom 14 so that it will not be displaced when the package contents become depleted or if the ejecting mechanism is violently disturbed.

flap members 20, as shown at 27 in Figure 5. Moreover, it is apparent that the base member 16, flap members 20 and. pull-tabs 27 are of a unitary structure and can be constructed from a single piece of material.

In order that the pull-tabs 26 or 27 will be. readily visible to the user, they may be colored in contrast to the outer appearance of the package. Further, they may provide a convenient medium for advertisement, information or instructions, as shown in Figure 6 where the in- .dicia is applied to the end of the pull-tab member27 or in Figure7 Where an extension of the string or tape pull tab member 26 has indicia applied thereto.

When the ejector mechanism is positioned in a cigarette package pull-tabs 26 and 27 extend upwardly from the ejecting flap members 20 the full depth of the package adjacent the opposite side walls thereof and are bent at right angles thereto and folded across the top of the cigarettes 24 immediately beneath the package wrapper. The folded top portion of the pull-tab forms a fingerpiece 28 or 29 which may be pulled in an upward direction to raise the flap member 20, that is pivotally mounted to the base member 16, out of the plane of said base member. When said flap member 20 is elevated as described hereinbefore, it becomes an inclined ramp and a cigarette supported thereon will be ejected to an accessible position. Upon removal of the ejected cigarette from the package, the ejecting flap member returns to its normal position in the plane of the base member 16 which is placed adjacent to and coextensive with the inside bottom 14 of the package.

Referring now to Figure 1, the ash-receiving receptacle .30 is defined by a front wall 32 and bellows-like side walls 34 which are secured to any one or more of the package side walls, and extend along the entire length thereof, forming an expansible pouch or receptacle with the latter. The bellows-like side walls are tapered downwardly so that the receptacle presents a wide opening at its top for receiving ashes and cigarette stubs if desired.

Prior to being used, the receptacle 30 is collapsed, as shown in Figure 2, wherein the bellows-like side walls are inwardly folded along the crease 36 and the front wall 32 is disposed adjacent the package side wall forming a compact receptacle. The receptacle will be 3 retained in a collapsed condition beneath the package wrapper until utilized.

The front and side walls of the receptacle may be composed of a fireproof material, allowing the user to extinguish ignited cigarettes and matches without creating a fire hazard by merely collapsing the receptacles and pressing the contents contained therein until thoroughly extinguished.

In the drawings, a conventional package is shown containing cigarettes which are arranged in rows in said package, and which are completely and tightly enclosed in the same. To facilitate the removal and projection of cigarettes therefrom, a pull-tab is provided which may be gripped by the corresponding finger-piece to lift the elevating flap and pull up one or more cigarettes from which posiiton they may be conveniently taken from the package by the user. It is evident from this construction that when, with the cigarettes all in position as packed, the cigarettes 25 supported by the flap member are lifted at varying degrees from the bottom of the package and projected through the opening at the top of the package as is shown in Figure 1. If only one cigarette is desired by the user, it can then be removed and the rest returned to the package leaving the remaining cigarettes loosened for further use. Thus, the ejector mechanism may be subject to further use and operation in connection with the said remaining cigarettes in the package.

It is also to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred embodiment of the same, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the'invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a cigarette package, a cigarette ejecting mechanism comprising a base member positioned contiguously with the inside bottom of said package, a movable flap member formed at one end of said base member by a pair of slits extending inwardly therefrom, said flap member being of a size to underlie and support at least one cigarette and having an inner end hingedly joined to said base member along a stationary axis extending transversely between said slits and spaced inwardly from the ends of said base member, and pulltab means secured to the other end of said flap member and extending upwardly therefrom to the uppermost portion of said package for raising said flap member out of the plane of said base member and elevating the cigarettes supported thereby to an accessible position.

2. In combination with a cigarette package having at least three rows of cigarettes, a cigarette ejecting mechanism for elevating at least one cigarette from the middle row of cigarettes, comprising a stationary base member of rectangular outline overlying the inside bottom of said package, a movable flap member formed at each end of said base member by a separate pair of slits extending inwardly therefrom, each of said flap members being of a size to underlie and support at least one cigarette, and each having an inner end hingedly joined to said base member along a separate stationary axis extending transversely between the corresponding pair of slits and spaced inwardly from the ends of said base member, and pull-tab means secured to the other end of each flap member and extending upwardly therefrom to the uppermost portion of said package for independently raising the associated flap member out of the plane of said base member and elevating the cigarettes supported thereby to an accessible position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

